Ohaeles caeroll oilman



(No Model.) 0. 0. GILMAN.

ROOF.

No. 340,570. Patented Apr. 27, 1,886.

N. Prrslzs. Phulvlnhogupiwr. Washington. 0. a

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

CHARLES CARROLL GILMAN, OF ELDORA, IOIVA.

ROOF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,570, dated April 27, 1886.

Application filed July 13, 1885, Renewed March 13,1986. Serial No. 195,152.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES CARROLL GIL- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Eldora, Hardin county, Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Roofs, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to construct a roof especially adapted to hot climates, which will exercise a cooling influence and render the apartments or rooms thereunder more habitable in hot weather. I accomplish this object by a novel construction and combination of parts in connection with the use of porous or cellular terracotta, otherwise known as terra-cotta lumber, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The accompanying drawing, forminga part of this specification, embraces a transverse cross-section of a roof embodying my invention.

In said drawing, the letter A B G represent the fra1ne-work,which supports the roof, the rafters l) whereof are arranged on and se cured to said framework in the usual wellknown manner. Tothe outside of said rafters, arranged appropriate distances from each other, I secure, by nails or otherwise, slabs or blocks E, of porous or cellular terra-cotta. This material, as is well known, is to a very high degree a non-conductor of heat and cold, is easilywrought with edged tools, will receive and hold nails, and possesses still other desirable qualities, which distinguish it from ordinary terra-cotta. The slabs or blocks of this material should be from one and one-half to three inches in thickness, according to circumstances, and of a width to extend from center to center of adjacent rafters, to which they are fastened by nails, spikes, bolts, screws, or otherwise. Slates or shingles G, lightly bedded in cement, are laid on the outside of said blocks and nailed to the same. Against the under surface of said rafters are also nailed slabs of porous terra-cotta, H, pref erably of less thickness, which may be covered with a coating of plaster, I, if desired. The

(No model.)

end of the rafters are left uncovered, so as to provide a series of air-passages, P, in which air can circulate, as indicated by the arrows in the drawings. This construction, consisting of two sn rfa-ces of a highly non-conducting material separated by passages in which air continually circulates, exercises a cooling influence and affords complete protection against the suns rays.

In lieu of a ceiling of porous terracotta, an ordinary ceiling of lath and plaster may be applied; but the construction shown is preferred.

I do not desire to limit myself strictly to porous terra-cotta; but desire to include any similar material which issubstantially as good a non-conductor of heat and cold.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A roof constructed of a series of rafters with a ceiling secured to the under surface and blocks or slabs of porous terra-cotta to the outer surface thereof, and having the spaces between the rafters unobstructed at the outer ends, so as to provide a series of passages for the circulation of air, substantially as described.

2. A roof constructed of a series of rafters covered on their outer and inner surfaces with a heat non'conducting material, said rafters being left uncovered at their outer ends, so as to provide a series of air-passages, substantially as described.

3. A roof constructed of a series of rafters covered on their outer and inner surfaces with slabs or blocks of porous tcrra-cotta, said rafters being left uncovered at their outer ends, so as to provide a series of air-passages, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES CARROLL GILMAN.

Witnesses:

R. B. GALUSHA, EDMUND Rica. 

